14th amendment Quote by Noam Chomsky
“The 14th Amendment was recognized right away to be problematic. The concept of person was both too narrow and too broad, and the courts went to work to overcome both of those flaws.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Lecture on Constitutional Law, 2015
The 14th Amendment’s definition of “person” is flawed, being simultaneously too narrow and too broad, prompting judicial attempts to fix it.
In simple terms: The amendment’s person definition is problematic, causing courts to intervene.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and address ambiguous legal definitions.
Themes
law
rights
interpretation
justice
constitution
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
legal
academic
When to use this quote
- court decisions
- legislative drafting
- civil rights litigation
- policy reform
- academic analysis
Key Concepts
jurisprudence
civil rights
legal theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can law better define personhood?
- What are the consequences of vague constitutional language?
A Different Perspective
Legal definitions can be politically contested and may not capture all affected groups.
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